A magnificent performance of 15 000 participants, costume, light and invention held in Beijing Olympic stadium. After three splendid hours, the former Chinese gymnast Li Ning climbs into the sky and lit the Olympic flame. The Olympic Games have begun!

2008 performers for the countdown:

3000 disciples of Confucius:

2008 performers for a demonstration of Taiji:

Lang Lang plays piano:

The Silk Road:

Li Ning, a triple Olympic champion in gymnastics at the Olympic Games of 1984, flies in the air and runs along the stadium and lit the Olympic flame: